Door latch



United States Patent DOOR LATCH Glen E. Brookbank, Rochester, Mich.,assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation ofDelaware Application October 18, 1952, Serial No. 315,483

16 Claims. (Cl. 292-65) The present invention relates to fasteningdevices and particularly to fastening devices which have latch means forreleasably fastening panels or doors such as are employed on the luggagecompartments of buses.

It is highly desirable that the latch mechanism employed for locking thepanel or door on the luggage compartment of a bus produce a rattle freeand dust tight seal when the door is secured to the surroundingstationary wall structure. In a latch mechanism which employs a screw itis possible to draw the door into tight engagement with the stationarywall structure and thereby produce a tight seal. However, it isgenerally necessary to use a separate or detachable tool for turning thescrew during the operation of such a latch. This is inconvenient sincethe tool frequently becomes lost and in addition it is generally kept aconsiderable distance from the latch mechanism. Thus it is apparent thatthe opening of the luggage compartment will be delayed until theoperator obtains the necessary tool. Moreover, to secure the presentlatches to the movable panel or door structure, it is necessary to drillseveral holes through the panel to allow the latch to be riveted orotherwise secured thereto.

It is proposed to provide a latch mechanism which may be installed on apanel or door by drilling a single hole through the door and thenmanually pushing the latch mechanism into said hole. In addition, thelatch mechanism, which may be actuated by the application of a pushingor pulling force, will contain a spring adapted to retain the door intight engagement with the surrounding wall structure.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a latch mechanism embodying thepresent invention, wherein said latch,

mechanism is shown in its locked position.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane 22 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 1 but showingthe latch mechanism in the unlocked position.

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially along the plane 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the latch mechanism 1 may bemounted upon a movable panel or door 2. The door 2, which may be hingedon a stationary panel or wall 4, is adapted to close the entrance 6 tothe luggage compartment 8 by swinging into engagement with the offsetportion 10 of wall 4. When the door 2 is in engagement with portion 10,it may be secured thereto by manually pushing on the latch 1 until it isactuated to the closed position. This will cause the door 2 to beresiliently forced against the portion 10 with enough pressure to createa dustproof seal therebetween. By pulling on the latch 1 it will bemoved to the open position, thus releasing the door 2.

The latch mechanism 1 may contain a member 12 having an elongatedcylindrical shank 14. One end of the shank 14 has a stud 16 of reduceddiameter projecting therefrom while the other end is provided withshoulder ice means 18. Beyond the shoulder means 18 is an enlarged end20. Between the shoulder 18 and end 20 is an indented recess 22 thatextends circumferentially around the shank 14. The enlarged end 20includes a cylindrical portion 24 having a shape similar to that of theshank 14 but of increased diameter and also a surface 26 which istapered to form a relatively blunt point 28.

A plurality of elongated links 30 may be slidably positioned about themember 12. To facilitate movement of the links 30 along the member 12,it has been found advisable to provide them with an arcuatecross-sectional shape, as can best be seen in Figs. 2 and 4. Each link30 has an enlarged end 32 that will overhang the shoulder 18 and extendinto the annular recess 22. To reinforce the enlarged ends 32, they maybe formed around short, arcuate pieces of wire 34. As can be seen inFigs. 2 and 4, the ends 32 will form a generally circular shape when thelinks 30 are positioned on the member 12. The ends 32 will be closesttogether and have a minimum outside diameter when they rest in annularrecess 22. However, when the links 30 slide axially along the member 12,the enlarged ends 32 will engage the shoulder 18 and be spread apartuntil they are located on the shank 14 of the member 12. This will givethe enlarged ends 32 a maximum outside diameter which is greatlyincreased over the minimum outside diameter. The opposite ends of thelinks are bent outwardly to form seats 38. A supporting members 40 maybe provided to enclose the latch mechanism 1 and facilitate mounting iton the door 2. The supporting member 40 comprises a tube 42 having aradially inwardly extending flange 44 formed on one end thereof. Theflange is constructed so as to produce an aperture 46 which is adaptedto guide the member 12 and links 30 as they slide therethrough. Theaperture 46 should be large enough to permit the links 30 to bedisplaced from the member 12 when the enlarged ends 32 are expanded bypassing over the shoulder 18, but small enough to engage the enlargedends 32 when they are seated in the recess 22 and thus normally preventthe ends 32 passing through the aperture 46. To facilitate assemblingand disassembling the'latch 1, the aperture 46 may be just large enoughto permit the links 30 and member 12, when the enlarged ends 32 areforced down into the recess 22, to be manually forced through theaperture 46.

One end of a helical spring 48, which surrounds the links 30 and member12, engages the flange 44. The other end of the spring rests in the seat38 formed on the ends of links 30 and exerts a force that tends to movethe links 30 axially along the member 12. When the spring 48 iscompressed, the tension will be great enough to cause the enlarged ends32 to be drawn up and over the shoulders 18.

To provide a convenient means for operating the latch mechanism 1, theend of the member 12 may be equipped with a knob 50 comprising a disk 52and a sleeve 54. The disk 52 is secured to the end of the member 12 byplacing the disk 52 on the stud 16 and upsetting the end thereof so asto rivet the disk 52 to the member 12. The sleeve 54 is secured to thedisk 52 by any suitable means, such as welding, so that it is free totelescope with the exterior of the support tube 42. If the sleeve 54 issecured to the disk 52 radially inwardly of its outer edge, a smallflange 56 will be provided which will furnish a better grip.

To assemble the latch mechanism 1 the links 30 are placed on the member12 with the enlarged ends 32 in the annular recess 22. The spring 48 isthen placed around the member 12 and the links 30 so that one end restsin the seat 38. 'The enlarged end 20 of the member 12 is then insertedthrough aperture 46 in flange 44. It the operator then exerts enoughforce on the knob it is possible to force the member 12 and links 30through aperture as, provided'the enlarged ends 32 remain in the recess22. Whenthe late-h 1 has been'assembled'the spring will be positionedbetween the flange 44 and seat 38 so as to urge the flange 44 and ends32 into engagement. Since it requires an abnormally large force to passthe enlarged ends 32 through aperture 46, the'latch will remain in theassembled condition. As an alternative method of con-. struction thelinks 30 may first beplacedin aperture 46 with the spring 48 inposition. The. member 12 is then inserted through the links and themember 52 secured thereto by riveting over end 16 of member 12. Thismethod'of assembly permits the aperture 46 to be small enough to'prevent the enlarged ends 32 of links 30 passing therethrough.

Once the latch mechanism has been assembled it may be secured to thedoor 2', The door 2 hasan aperture 58 therethrough', which issubstantially the same size as the aperture 46. This will allow the,latch 1, when in the open position, to be secured to door 2 by extendingthe end 20 of the member 12 through aperture 53 and pushing on the knob50. The links and member 12 will then pass through the aperture 53 inthe same manner that it passed through aperture 46; To provide a morepermanent installation, it may be found advisableto make aperture 53 toosmall to permit the enlarged ends 32 of links 31') to pass therethrough.If this is done, a method similar to the above described alternativemethod may be employed to install the latch. First the supporting memberM) is placed on door 2 and the links 30 are inserted through apertures46 and 58 with spring 48 in position. The member 12 is then insertedtherethrough and the member 52 riveted thereto. Since the. enlarged ends32 can not pass through apertures 46. and 58 it will not be possible toremove the latch.withoutdisassembling it.

Assuming the door is in the open positionas, seen in Fig. 3 and it isdesired to lock the door in the closed position, the operator pushes on.the knob. 50. When the. door swings into engagement with tl eoifsetportion 13, the force applied to the knob 50 will cause the cylindricalmember 12 to slide axially through the, apertures 58 and 46 in the door2 and the flange 44 of the tubular supporting member and into. aperture60 in oflset portion 10. Aperture 60 is large enough to permit theenlarged ends 32 to pass therethrough when they are in recess 22.However, aperture dtl is also small enough to prevent ends 32. passingtherethrough when, they are in engagement withv with the member 12through aperturefitl. It should be noted that when the links3il-arecarried with themember he Spring 48 will bev compressed. At some pointafter the enlarged ends 32 ofthe links 30 have passed through theaperture 60, the, spring 48 will be compressed sufilciently to cause theends, 32 to slideout of the recess 22 and over the shoulder 18. Thiswill expand the enlarged ends 32 and leave. the links 30 free to slidealong the shank 14 of the member 12 until said enlarged ends engage theportion 10. Since the enlarged ends 32 are spread to their maximumdiameter, they will not be free to pass, through the aperture 60. andconsequently they will engage the offset portion 19. The spring 48 willcontinue to urge the links 30 along the member, but since the ends 32are engaging portion, 1!), the spring action will cause the door 2 tobe, drawn tightly against the offset portion 10.

When the door 2 is locked'in the, closed position as seen inFig, l. andit is desired to open said 10 51116, operator pulls the. knob awayfrom,the door 2. Theknob- 50 will thentelescopingly slide out along thetubular support member. 42. carrying the cylindrical member 12;? withit. As long. as the enlarged ends 32, of the links 30 rest on the shank14 of the cylindrical member 12, they will engage the portion. 10..Therefore, theywill remain station, ary as the cylindrical, memhen 12is. drav in; through, apart ture 60. However, when the cylindricalmember 12 is almost completely withdrawn from said aperture 69, theenlarged ends 32 will pass over the shoulder 18 and drop into theannular recess 22, thereby permitting said enlarged ends 32 and thecylindrical member 12 to pass freely through the aperture 60. Since theenlarged ends 32 can no longer engage the offset portion 10 there isnothing to retain the door 2 in position and thus said door can swingopen.

While but one embodiment has been illustrated and described, it will beapparent to anyone skilled in the art that the invention may be embodiedin numerous other specific forms than that described without departingfrom the spirit thereof. it is, therefore, desired that the presentembodiment be considered in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than tothe foregoing description to determine thescope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A fastening device comprising a supporting tube having an inwardlyextending flange forming an aperture, a cylindrical member disposedwithin said aperture, an annular indented shoulder formed in said memberad jacent one end thereof, a disk mounted on the other end of saidmember-and having a sleeve secured thereto in telescoping relationshipwith said supporting tube, a link havingan enlarged end overhanging saidshoulder and being adapted to slide into and out of engagementtherewith, and springmeans engaging said flange and said link and beingadapted to urge said support into engagement with said enlarged end,said aperture being large enough to permit said enlarged end to bedisplaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough to preventsaid spring forcing-said enlarged end through said aperture.

2. A fastening device comprising a supporting tube having an inwardlyextending flange forming an aperture, cylindrical member disposed withinsaid aperture and having an enlargedend tapered to form a blunt point,an annular indented shoulder formed in said member adjacent saidenlarged end, a disk on the other end of said member having a sleeveattached thereto in telescoping relationship with said supporting tube,a link having an enlarged end adapted to slide into and out ofengagement with said shoulder, and a spring engagingsaid supporting tubeand saidlink and tending to urge said supporting tube toward theenlarged end of said link, said aperture being large enough to permitthe enlarged end of said link being displaced from engagement with saidindented shoulder but small enough to, prevent said spring forcing saidlarged end of said link through said, aperture.

3. A fastening device comprising a first panelhaving an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an a erture positioned to register,with, said first aperture when. said panels are, in engagement, a memberdisposed in one of said apertures and having an indented shoulderthereon, a link having anenlarged end overhanging said shoulder andbeing adapted to slide into and out of engagement with said shoulder,and a spring-engaging saidlink and adapted to urge said enlarged endintoengagement with one of said panels, one of said apertures being largeenough to permit the passage therethrough of said enlarged end when saidenlarged end and said shoulder are in engagement but being-small enoughto prevent thepassage therethrough of said enlarged end whensaidenlarged end and said shoulderare notin engagement, the size of theother of said apertures. being small enough to normally prevent saidspring from, forcing said enlarged end through said aperture.

4.. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an aperture. therethrough, saidapertures being adapted to register with each other when said panels arein engagement,

a cylindrical member; disposed 011 of said apertures,

aid: membe ha ng, a nnu a nflamed h de ads jacent one end thereof, aplurality of links slidably disposed on said member and having enlargedends overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide into and outof engagement therewith, and a spring engaging said links and beingadapted to urge said enlarged ends into engagement with one of saidpanels, one of said apertures being large enough to permit the passagetherethrough of said enlarged ends when in engagement with said shoulderbut being small enough to prevent the passage therethrough of saidenlarged ends when not in engagement with said shoulder, the size of theother of said apertures being small enough to prevent said spring fromforcing said enlarged ends through said aperture.

5. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an aperture positioned to registerwith said first aperture when said panels are in engagement, acylindrical member disposed in one of said apertures and having anannular indented shoulder adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of linkshaving enlarged ends overhanging said shoulder and being adapted toslide into and out of engagement therewith so as to displace a portionof said links from said cylindrical member, and a spring surroundingsaid links and said member and being adapted to urge said enlarged endsinto engagement with one of said panels, one of said apertures beinglarge enough to permit the passage therethrough of said enlarged endswhen said enlarged ends and said shoulder are in engagement but smallenough to prevent the passage therethrough of said enlarged ends whensaid enlarged ends and said shoulder are not in engagement, the size ofthe other of said apertures being large enough to permit said enlargedends to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enoughto prevent said spring forcing said enlarged ends through said aperture.

6. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an aperture adapted to register withsaid first aperture when said panels are in engagement, a support memberhaving an aperture therethrough registering with the aperture in saidsecond panel, a cylindrical member adapted to be slidably disposed inone of said apertures and having an annular indented shoulder thereon, alink slidably disposed on said member and having an enlarged endoverhanging said shoulder and being adapted to move into and out ofengagement therewith so as to separate a portion of the link from thecylindrical member, and a spring engaging said link and said supportmember and being adapted to urge said enlarged end into engagement withone of said panels, the aperture in said first panel being intermediatethe combined sizes of said enlarged end and said shoulder when they arein engagement and when they are out of engagement, and the apertures inthe second panel and said supporting member being large enough to permitsaid enlarged end to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder butsmall enough to prevent said spring from forcing said enlarged endthrough said aperture.

7. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough, saidaperture being adapted to register with said first aperture when saidpanels are in engagement, a supporting member having an aperturetherethrough registering with the aperture in said second panel, acylindrical member slidably disposed in one of said apertures, saidmember having an annular indented shoulder formed adjacent one endthereof, a plurality of links having enlarged ends thereon adapted toslide into and out of engagement with said shoulder so as to displace aportion of the links from the cylindrical member, and a springsurrounding said links and said member and engaging said support andsaid links, said spring being adapted to urge said enlarged ends intoengagement with one of said panels, the aperture in said first panelbeing intermediate the combined sizes of said enlarged ends and saidshoulder when they are in engage- 6. ment and when they are out ofengagement, and the aper tures in said second panel and said supportingmember being large enough to permit said enlarged ends to be displacedfrom engagement with said shoulder but small enough to prevent saidspring forcing said enlarged ends through said aperture.

8. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough which isadapted to register with said first aperture when said panels are inengagement, a supporting member on said second panel and having anaperture therethrough registering with the aperture in said secondpanel, a member slidably disposed in one of said apertures and having anindented shoulder adjacent one end thereof, a knob secured to the otherend of said member, a link on said last mentioned member and having anenlarged end adapted to engage said shoulder and ride thereover andcause a portion of said link to be displaced from said last mentionedmember, and a spring engaging said link and supporting member and beingadapted to urge said enlarged end into engagement with one of saidpanels, the aperture in said first panel being intermediate the combinedsizes of said enlarged end and said shoulder when they are in and out ofengagement, and the apertures in the second panel and said supportingmember being large enough to permit said portion of said link to bedisplaced from engagement with said last mentioned member but smallenough to prevent said spring forcing said enlarged end through saidaperture.

9. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough which isadapted to register with said first aperture when said panels are inengagement, a supporting tube having an inwardly extending flangeforming an aperture which registers with the aperture in said secondpanel, a member slidably disposed in at least one of said apertures, anannular indented shoulder formed in said member adjacent one endthereof, a disk on the other end of said member, a sleeve secured tosaid disk whereby it is telescopingly disposed about said support ingtube, a link slidably engaging said member and having an enlarged end,said end being adapted to move into and out of engagementwith saidshoulder so as to displace a portion of said link from said member, anda spring engaging said link and the flange on said tube whereby saidspring is effective to urge said enlarged end into engagement with oneof said panels, the aperture in said first panel being intermediate thecombined sizes of said enlarged end and said shoulder when they are inengagement and when they are out of engagement, and the apertures in thesecond panel and said supporting tube being large enough to permit saidenlarged end to be displaced from engagement with said shoulder butsmall enough to prevent said spring from forcing said enlarged end frompassing through said apertures.

10. A fastening device comprising a first panel having an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough which isadapted to register with said first aperture when said panels are inengagement, a supporting tube having an inwardly projecting flangeforming an aperture which registers with the aperture in said secondpanel, a cylindrical member slidably disposed in one of said aperturesand having an enlarged end that is tapered to a blunt point, an annularindented shoulder formed in said member adjacent said enlarged end, adisk on the other end of said member having a sleeve secured thereto intelescoping relationship with said supporting tube, a plurality of linksslidably disposed on said member and having enlarged ends adapted formovement into and out of engagement with said shoulder so as to displacea portion of said links from said member, a spring engaging said flangeand said links disposed and being adapted to urge said enlarged ends onsaid links into engagement with one of said panels, the aperture in saidfirst panel being intermediate the combined sizes of said enlarged endson saidtlinks' and said shoulder when they are in engagementandwhen-they are out of engagement, andthe apertures in said secondpanel and said support tube being large enough to permit the enlargedends on said links to be displaced from engagement with said shoulderbut small enough to prevent said spring from forcing said enlarged endsthrough said apertures.

11. Looking means comprising a first panel having an aperturetherethrough, a second panel having an aperture therethrough which isadapted to register with said first aperture when said panelsare inengagement, a supporting member abutting said second panel and having anaperture positioned to register with the aperture in said second panel,an elongated member disposed inside of said supporting member, saidelongated member having a shank slidably disposed in the aperturesthrough said second panel and said supporting member with one endextending outwardly from said second panel, said elongated member havingan annular recess forming a shoulder adjacent said end, a plurality oflinks slidably disposed on the exterior of said shank, said links havingenlarged ends positioned to seat in said recess and ride over saidshoulder onto said shank so as to displace a portion of said links fromsaid shank, the aperture. in said first panel being intermediate thecombined sizes of said enlarged ends and said shank when said enlargedends are positioned on said shank and when they are seated in saidrecess, and the apertures in said second pane] and said supportingmember being large enough to permit the enlarged ends on said links tobe displaced from engagement with said shoulder but small enough tonormally prevent said ends from passing through said apertures, and aspring seated on said supporting member for normally biasing saidenlarged ends against said second panel for retaining said supportingmember on said second panel.

12. A fastening device comprising a support having an aperturetherethrough, a member having a shank slidably disposed within saidaperture and having an inented shoulder therein adjacent one endthereof, a link slidably disposed on said shank and having an enlargedend overhanging said shoulder, said enlarged end being adapted to slideover said shoulder onto said shank, and a spring positioned between saidsupport and said link to thereby urge said support into engagement withsaid enlarged end of said link, said aperture being small eno h toprevent said enlarged end from passing through said aperture whendisposed on said shoulder and subjected to the Working forces appliedthereto but being large enough to permit said shank and said enlargedend of said link to be simultaneously forced through said aperturewithout permanent deformation of said link,

shaft or aperture.

13. A fastening device comprising a support having an aperturetherethrough, a cylindrical member having a shank slidably disposedWithin said aperture and having an annular indented shoulder therein, aplurality of links slidably disposed on said shank and having enlargedends overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide over saidshoulder onto said shank, and a spring positioned between said supportand said links and being adapted to urge said support into engagementwith said enlarged ends, said aperture being small enough to preventsaid enlarged ends from passing through said aperture when disposed insaid indented shoulder and subjected to the working forces appliedthereto but being large enough to permit said enlarged ends of saidlinks and said shank being simultaneously forced through said aperture.without permanent deformation ofsaid links, shank or aperture.

14. A fastening device comprising a support having an aperture.theret-hrough, a cylindrical member having a shank slidably disposedwithin said aperture and having an enlarged end tapered to form a bluntpoint, a recess disposed in said shank adjacent said end to form anannular indented shoulder, a plurality of links adapted to cooperativelyengage said member, said-links having enlarged ends adapted toseat insaid recess and slide away from said blunt point over said shoulder intoengagement with said shank soas to displace a portion of said links fromsaid shank, said enlarged end of said shank being adapted to. preventthe enlarged ends of said links passing thereover, and a springsurrounding said links and said member and positioned between saidsupport and said links and being adapted to urge said support toward engagement with the enlarged ends on said links, said aperture being largeenough to permit a portion of said links to be displaced from engagementwith said shank when said enlarged ends ride over said shoulder butsmall enough to prevent the enlarged ends of said links from passingthrough said aperture.

15. A fastening device comprising a supporting tube having an inwardlyprojecting flange forming an aperture, a member having a shank with asubstantially uniform diameter slidably disposed within said aperture,said member having an indented shoulder adjacent an end projecting fromsaid tube, a link slidably disposed on said shank and having an enlargedend overhanging said shoulder and being adapted to slide over saidshoulder onto said shank, and a spring disposed between said supportingtube and said link and tending to urge said supporting tube intoengagement with said enlarged end, said aperture being small enough toprevent said enlarged end from passing through said aperture whendisposed in said indented shoulder and subjected to the working forcesapplied thereto but being large enough to permit said enlarged end ofsaid link and said shank being simultaneously forced through saidaperture without permanent-deformation of said link, shank or aperture.

16. A fastening device comprising a supporting tube having an inwardlyextending flange forming an aperture, a cylindrical member having acylindrical shank with a substantially uniform diameter slidablydisposed within said aperture, an annular indented shoulder formed insaid member adjacent an end thereof projecting from said tube, a knob onthe other end of said member, a link having an enlarged end adapted toslide over said shoulder into engagement with said shank so as todisplace a portion of said link from said shank, and a spring engagingsaid flange and said link and being adapted to urge said flange towardsaid enlarged: end, said apertureb eing large enough to permit a portionof said link being displaced from engagement with said shank when saidenlarged end slides over said indented shoulder into engagement withsaid shank but small enough to prevent said spring forcing the enlargedend of said link through said aperture.

References (Cited in the file of this patent U'NlTE-D STATES, PATENTS1,169,693 Swedlund Jan. 25, 1916 2,356,243 Edwards Sept. 16, 1941FOREIGN PATENTS 480,469 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1938 964,157 France Jan.25, 1950

